“Big in Japan” — Episode 83

While Bo struggles with feeling disinterested in sex, she and Tamsin become bodyguards for a famous warrior who fears that his life is in danger. Receiving death threats from Fae who want the serum she used on The Morrigan, Lauren turns to Dyson to learn how to defend herself better.

We discuss “Big in Japan” in depth in this episode, but you can hear our first impressions in our previous episode.

Drink Special: Lonely Night

¾ oz Coffee liqueur
1¼ oz Irish cream liqueur
1¼ oz Vanilla ice cream

Combine ingredients in blender with ice and blend until smooth. Pour into parfait glass. Top with whipped cream and shaved chocolate.

Oh, the Asianness

Asian everywhere! Karaoke! Guzheng music! Sushi! Seppuku! Ninjas!

Kris was tempted to make a drinking game and do a shot whenever someone said the word “honor.”

Annie was the most annoyed by the bad karaoke, and she felt sorry for the actors who had to wear the full kimonos.

MUSASHI Musashi

Stephanie felt like there was too much exposition in this storyline.

We can appreciate the theme of this story — that women's accomplishments have been historically underappreciated or unacknowledged — but we didn't love the execution.

The final scene of Bo confronting Musashi at the restaurant was really overwritten for our tastes. But we can appreciate the final slo-mo shot of Bo strutting out of the restaurant.

We were confused (with all the Asianness) why the assassin was called “Big Taco,” but apparently the writers were trying to do a thing. His name is spelled Tak'o in the credits.

Tamsin as Bo's Kickass Buddy

We all thought Tamsin was delightful as Bo's new paranormal hot-vestigating partner.

Kris is flummoxed why Tamsin, a kickass Valkyrie with wings, would have Kill Bill fantasies? But we all thought her outfit was great.

We all enjoyed the scene in which Bo and Tamsin were in bed. Tamsin got some great lines, and Stephanie especially loved when she spooned Bo at the very end of the scene.

Why did she only get police batons for the big fight? Where are her ninja weapons?

Bo's Lost Sex Drive

This storyline is a play on the trope of the hero losing their powers. We generally liked this storyline, but Kris was expecting it tie back into the fact that Bo fed off Persephone in Tartarus, given Persephone's comment about being careful what you eat there.

Some Lost Girl fans have been critical of this storyline, saying that it found Bo returning to being selfish and self-involved like she was in Season 4. Personally, We don't think that Bo was being particularly selfish. She was reacting to losing her best friend that she loves dearly. “Scream a Little Dream” established that ending up alone is one of Bo's big fears, so it makes sense to us that Kenzi's departure would bring up this type of fear and need for reassurance.

While she understands why they chose to structure the storyline this way, Stephanie wishes that it had been used as a vehicle for Bo to talk to Lauren about their very different life spans. Annie wants that too but thinks it needs to happen while they're alone and preferably naked.

Annie really loved the concluding “family hug” scene. Stephanie thought it was a little cheesy. Kris admits that it was, but she doesn't care.

Poor Trick having to have a version of “the talk” with Bo. Rick Howland was hilarious in that scene, and Annie thought it was interesting that Trick mentioned that sex was important for all Fae.

Bo & Lauren

We were thinking that Bo and Lauren might be together, given what happened in “Dark Horse” as well as their behavior in the first two episodes of this season. However, this episode suggests that has not been the case.

It feels like everyone loves Bo, but Bo is running from these love feelings and/or everyone is backing off from Bo because they are trying to be supportive of Bo.

Lauren seemed very frustrated with Bo in this episode, and we again got a sense that Lauren isn't particularly comfortable with Bo needing to feed off of other people.

Bo & Tamsin

Stephanie was worried for Tamsin when Bo asked her if she could feed off of her. Bo must realize that Tamsin likes/loves her. Does Bo like Tamsin?

Annie and Kris appreciated Tamsin's face in this episode and how Rachel played that moment right before Tamsin agrees to let Bo try to feed.

Bo & Dyson

Stephanie was thrown off by the first scene of this episode. Why was Dyson shirtless if he and Bo weren't supposed to have been having sexytimes? Is that his painting outfit? Kris, like Dyson, was going a little crazy watching Bo's poor painting technique.

Stephanie was a little disappointed that Bo grabbed Dyson for sex. Yes, Bo and Dyson have had a previous understanding about sex just for healing, but she felt like it had been done a lot previously.

Kris points out that Trick was off limits (thank goodness), it's complicated with Tamsin, Bo might hurt Lauren because she's so hungry, so Dyson was the most logical choice.

Lauren & Tamsin

We liked that the bonding moment between Lauren and Tamsin was a throwback to Bo and Dyson's sex scene in The Dal in “Dead Lucky.”

Zoie Palmer and Rachel Skarsten were both great in that scene, and we liked seeing a few tendrils of friendship developing between the two of them.

Hugs! Tamsin needed hugs at the end of that scene.

Lauren Dealing with Death Threats

This subplot was the piece of the episode that worked the best for all of us.

Annie was glad that we saw some fallout from Lauren de-Faeing The Morrigan.

Stephanie felt like the audience was able to be “with” Lauren in a new way in this episode. While she has had her own story arcs in previous episodes, there always seemed to be a mystery surrounding her emotions or her intentions. But here it was very clear what Lauren was feeling and experiencing.

Kris points out that Dyson and Lauren's friendship allowed her to be more open about her thoughts and intentions.

Annie is enjoying how Dyson and Lauren's relationship is progressing. Stephanie liked how Lauren went to Dyson about a problem she had, and Dyson was able to talk to Lauren about a problem he had.

It was good to see Lauren try to empower herself rather than having to ask someone to save her. Stephanie doesn't want to see Lauren master fighting skills — because she likes that Lauren is strong and badass because of her intellect rather than her ability to pummel people — so she was glad that wasn't the route this episode took.

Movie Night

Stephanie thought that Tamsin and Dyson were being adorable with each other at the end of the episode, and she laments that they're not making out.

Tamsin has all the good lines in this scene.

We thought the couch scene was cute and wonder if it might be hinting at a polyamorous conclusion to the triangle. But at the very least, we liked seeing all of them hang out as buddies.

The Mysterious Blonde Woman

What did the Artemis candle do? Did it turn Elizabeth into a murderous zombie creature?

Stephanie and Kris think that her comment about “Can you see me?” indicates that Elizabeth had been possessed a sprit or something released by lighting the candle.

Stephanie has another possible mystical pregnancy freak out that whatever possessed Elizabeth was what assaulted Lauren in “Like Hell, Part 2.”

We have no clue who this entity might be. We think the theory that it might be Persephone's mother seems less likely this week.

Stray Thoughts

Did Lauren's syringe that she threw at the bad guy auto-inject?

Should Dyson and Trick really be there while you're operating, Lauren? That's not exactly sterile.

Annie would like to thank the costume designer for all the non-Asian wardrobe in this episode.